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Grand Seiko Ninja Spring Drive: Springing a Ninja Surprise

The Grand Seiko “Ninja” Spring Drive, as seen in the video above and image below, is specially designed for ninjas, features a watchcase like no other, having been inspired by the shuriken, a concealed weapon that only makes its appearance when it is thrown at the enemy.

For this Grand Seiko Ninja, the shuriken case is shaped like a four-pointed star. The Grand Seiko Ninja is equipped with the brand’s proprietary Spring Drive movement boasting of a “one-second a day precision that no other mechanical watches can achieve”.

Grand Seiko’s 1 April launch of its Ninja Spring Drive. Photo: Seiko.

Seiko’s Spring Drive was first introduced in 1999. The first Grand Seiko was equipped with the Spring Drive in 2004.

Interestingly, there is also a ladies Grand Seiko Kunoichi automatic model bearing the shuriken-type case as well. “Kunoichi” refers to a female ninja.

Best of all, both the Grand Seiko Ninja and Grand Seiko Kunoichi models were launched on 1 April 2018, proving that this Japanese brand has a genuine ninja-type sense of humour with this April Fools’ Day prank.

Japanese artist Yoji Shinkawa, who gained fame for designing and illustrating the characters, mechanical designs and environment in Metal Gear and Zone of the Enders in Konami’s videos games, came up with the futuristic “ninja” above for Grand Seiko. Shinkawa joined Konami in 1994 and left in 2015. He is currently working with Hideo Kojima at Kojima Productions and is responsible for art direction for a new video game, Death Stranding. Photo: Seiko.

After all, confusing the enemy, especially through illusion, is a ninja trait, using skills known as Genjutsu, according to the Ninja Encyclopedia.

Grand Seiko’s April Fools’ Day joke is well-worth the effort as it brings further global brand awareness to this high-end line of watches.

Now, having seen and read about the Grand Seiko Ninja and Kunoichi, don’t be surprised if these two Ninja models suddenly vanish in a puff of smoke originating from a Ninja smoke bomb.